Home | Fact Sheet | Febrile convulsion

Medical Emergencies

Febrile convulsion

Download Fact Sheet PDFs

  • A rapid rise in body temperature can cause convulsions. This occurs most often in children aged 6 months to 5 years. 
  • A convulsion can occur with a temperature change from the normal 37ºC to as little as 38.5ºC. 

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms can include: 

  • fever 
  • muscle stiffening 
  • twitching or jerking of face or limbs 
  • eyes rolling upwards 
  • blue lips, face, earlobes, fingernails 
  • loss of consciousness

What to do

During the convulsion 

  1. Place the child on their side for safety. 
  2. DO NOT restrain the child. 
  3. DO NOT cool the child by sponging or bathing, but do remove excess clothing. 


After the convulsion 

  1. Follow DRSABCD. 
  2. Remove excess clothing or wrappings. 
  3. Seek medical aid.